Throat cancers appear in the pharynx (the area behind the mouth) and the esophagus, the tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach. There are four major areas of the throat that may be affected, including:

• Oropharynx. Area of the throat directly behind the mouth.
  
  
• Nasopharynx. Area at the back of the nose near the base of the skull and located just above the soft palate (the flap of tissue that makes up the rear portion of the roof of the mouth).
  
  
• Larynx. The “voice box,” located in the front of the neck and visible as the “Adam’s apple” especially in males.
  
  
• Hypopharynx. The entrance to the esophagus, or food pipe.

Lifestyle decisions play a crucial role in the development of many throat cancers. Smoking and excessive use of alcohol are almost always factors in the development of the disease. Thus, patients can substantially reduce their risk of throat cancer by making several healthy lifestyle choices.

Throat cancers may be caught in their early stages, which can substantially improve the odds of a favorable prognosis. Regular dental checkups can often reveal early signs of oropharyngeal cancers. A primary care physician should also examine the throat as part of any routine cancer-related checkup. In addition, suspicious changes in the mouth and throat may be detected in routine dental visits.

Of the various throat cancers, oropharyngeal is the most common, followed by laryngeal, hypopharyngeal and nasopharyngeal. There are various forms of treatment for throat cancers, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.